Characteristics of Major Local Tree Species Propagated by AFCD

Species	Characteristics
Castanopsis fissa	A fast-growing evergreen tree which can grow in infertile soil. Its trunk is tall and upright, leaves evergreen and burgeons purplish-red. Flowering in early summer (between April and May). The profusion of pale yellow flowers looks like beautiful fireworks. Fruit is, a distinctive egg-shaped, scaly acron; a nut is closely wrapped within involucral scales.
Cinnamomum camphora	A long-lived evergreen tree with a densely foliaged and rounded crown. Flowering in April. Its little, pale yellow flowers attract insects such as butterflies and bees while its berries are food for birds. Seeds are dispersed when flying birds defecate.
Cleistocalyx operculatus	An evergreen tree with a tall and strong trunk. It has a broad canopy and luxuriant foliage providing good shade. Red leaves are often found. Aromatic when leaves are crumpled. Red or purple berries ripen in late summer and attract wild animals.
Gordonia axillaris	An elegant evergreen tree with dense foliage and branches. Its beautiful large white flowers with yellow stamens bloom in winter and attract insects such as butterflies and bees.
Liquidambar formosana	A magnificent deciduous tree with an upright trunk. Its three-lobed leaves turn red and then brown in autumn, which makes them resemble the maple leaves (five-lobed, of the genus Acer) in North America. It is an outstanding ornamental tree. The spherical fruits possess a delicate structure and hang on branches in winter.
Machilus spp (e.g. M. chekiangensis)	A graceful, bushy evergreen tree. Flowering in mid-spring. The clusters of yellow flowers at branch tips and the vivid red leaflets add beauty to each other.  Birds feed on its delicious berries. Seeds are dispersed when flying birds defecate.
Phyllanthus emblica	A small deciduous tree or shrub with spreading branches and luxuriant foliage.  Its small leaves grow along the branches in 2 rows and sway like feathers in the breeze. Its little yellow flowers bloom in clusters between spring and summer, attracting bees and butterflies. During autumn and winter, numerous drooping golden-yellow fruits ripen. Wild animals such as Masked Palm Civets feed on these juicy, fleshy fruits and help seed dispersal.
Reevesia thyrsoidea	An elegant evergreen tree. Silver-white blossoms cluster around branch tips in spring look like white spheres among lush green foliage. These flowers are eye-catching and the fragrance is alluring to insects including bees and butterflies.
Raphiolepis indica	A scrub or small tree which flowers in early spring. Its pretty little white flowers carry a shade of pink resembling that of plum blossoms. Numerous clusters of purple fruits hang at branch tips in late autumn. The bright-coloured flowers and the delicious berries attract insects and birds.
Schima superba	A graceful evergreen tree. Its white flowers with yellow stamens bloom in early summer and its aroma attracts bees, butterflies and other insects.  Leaves turn red in winter, which is pleasant and unique in evergreen forests. Noted for its tolerance and fertility. Dense leaves with high water content and a big canopy make the species a good firebreak tree.
Syzygium hancei	A beautiful evergreen tree with an upright, sturdy trunk. Its branches are reddish brown. White flowers bloom in spring. In winter, the ripe fruits are food for wild animals.  Commonly found in secondary forests and fung shui woods. The dark reddish brown fruits are food for birds and small animals (such as Masked Palm Civets) in fung shui woods. Flying birds help disperse the seeds.